Abbotsford high school responding to flooding victims’ needs

Last week’s flood crisis continues to have an impact on the St. John Brebeuf Secondary community, where some students on Thursday remained cut off from the school and were relying on online learning.

With school buses unable to transport students from Chilliwack, the Abbotsford high school was making virtual learning and support from educational assistants available for isolated students.

In a message to parents Thursday, principal Gianni Bittante said the reopening of Hwy. 1 between Chilliwack and Abbotsford earlier in the day meant a return to school buses from Chilliwack Friday and an end to virtual teaching.

The school also launched a flood relief effort through its student council and its life and justice team. Students were urged to take part in 5 Dollars for the Flood, a non-uniform day Friday with students dressing casually and donating $5 to a fund for displaced migrant workers and other flood relief agencies.

The school is also collecting clothing, non-perishable food, and toiletries for flood victims to be delivered over the coming week.

The school’s Campus Ministry prayed a Rosary for the flood victims during lunchtime Thursday.

At Catholic Pacific College in Langley, students, alumni, and volunteers with pickaxes and shovels in hand gathered Nov. 20 to dig new drainage ditches in advance of more rainfall being anticipated. 

The college is located in an old farmhouse with inaccessible drainage pipes. Over the years the pipes became clogged and the recent rainfall caused flooding in the basement, chapel, student lounge, and library.

Although many hands make light work, construction equipment proved even better as volunteer Gerard Roddis showed up with an excavator. Vincent O’Reilly, owner of O’Reilly Drain Service, lent his expertise when it came time to dig and lay the new pipe.

At press time, classes had resumed while the basement was still being dried out.